The significance of pain in cervical cancer and its treatment by interstitial infiltration with colloidal radiogold

Two hundred and sixty-two patients with cervical cancer were reviewed with reference to symptoms of pain. The incidence of pain was found to be 59 per cent.1. The 3 to 8 year “cure” rate was 37 per cent in patients with pain localized to the abdomen, pelvis, and back as compared to 88 per cent in patients without pain.2. The 3 to 8 year “cure” rate in patients with pain in the lower extremities was 16 per cent. With the exclusion of those in whom the pain was probably due to conditions other than cervical carcinoma, the “corrected cure” was 6 per cent.3. Varying degrees of leg edema were found in 42 per cent of patients with lower extremity pain. They all died of their disease.4. Whereas the preliminary course of radiotherapy relieved 20 per cent of patients with pain, reirradiation gave only temporary relief.5. Radical surgery was of no benefit in terms of cure in patients with lower extremity pain in whom a viable tumor was found on the pelvic wall. Of 22 patients so treated, all died of their disease.6. A technique of direct infiltration of colloidal radiogold into residual tumor has been employed with some success. In 7 patients the relief obtained was marked, in 4 moderate, and in 3 only minimal. No improvement was noted in 3 patients.